Czech Republic vs South Korea Predicted XI: Schick Leads the Line

Czech Republic kick off their World Cup 2026 campaign against South Korea in Guadalajara on June 12, with playoff qualifiers eager to make an immediate impact in Group A. Head coach Miroslav Koubek is expected to name a settled 3-4-2-1 formation, leaning on experienced performers who have carried the nation through a demanding qualification process that required two penalty shootouts just to reach the tournament. With Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick spearheading the attack, the Czechs arrive with a genuine goal threat at the highest level of international football.

Between the sticks, Matej Kovar is the man expected to get the nod ahead of Braga's Lucas Hornicek. Kovar's composure under pressure was on full display during qualifying, where he was pivotal in those nerve-shredding penalty shootout victories. His recent domestic success, helping PSV Eindhoven claim the Eredivisie title, only adds to his credentials as a reliable number one on the biggest stage. In front of him, Czech Republic will deploy a back three in which Ladislav Krejci of Wolverhampton Wanderers occupies the left-sided role. The experienced Wolves defender has also been handed the captain's armband following Tomas Soucek's removal from the role earlier in 2026. Robin Hranac and Chaloupek complete what is a notably tall and physically imposing defensive unit, capable of dealing with South Korea's dynamic attacking threats from set pieces and open play.

Despite losing the captaincy, Tomas Soucek remains absolutely central to how Czech Republic function in the middle of the park. The powerful central midfielder provides both defensive cover and an aerial presence that opponents struggle to nullify. He will be flanked by Coufal on the right wing-back berth and Michal Jurasek on the left, giving Koubek width and dynamism on both flanks. David Cerv completes the midfield quartet, with his energy and pressing intensity helping to protect the back three while also contributing to transitions. This midfield structure is designed to be compact and hard to break down, yet capable of quickly shifting the ball wide to stretch defences.

• 1Tomas Soucek anchors the midfield with physicality and aerial dominance
• 2Vladimir Coufal and Michal Jurasek provide attacking width as wing-backs
• 3David Cerv adds pressing intensity and defensive solidity in the center
• 4Pavel Sulc and Lukas Provod support Schick with creativity in the final third

All eyes will inevitably fall on Patrik Schick, who arrives at World Cup 2026 as one of the tournament's most compelling Golden Boot candidates. The Bayer Leverkusen forward has scored six goals across seven major tournament appearances, a remarkable ratio that includes a joint-top scoring haul at Euro 2020. Crucially, three of his five goals during UEFA qualifying came via headers, underscoring his aerial dominance — a weapon that becomes particularly potent given the overall height of this Czech squad. Supporting Schick will be Lyon's Pavel Sulc, currently named Czech Republic's Player of the Year, whose creativity and technical ability offer an important link between midfield and attack. Lukas Provod is expected to complete the front line, edging out Adam Hlozek for the third spot in the attacking unit.

Czech Republic's predicted lineup against South Korea reads: Kovar; Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Cerv, Soucek, Jurasek; Provod, Sulc; Schick. This is a team built on structural discipline and individual quality in key positions. Koubek's 3-4-2-1 system offers defensive solidity while creating the platform for Schick and Sulc to cause serious problems for a South Korean backline that will need to be wary of set-piece situations above all else. Winning this opening Group A fixture would be a massive statement of intent from a side that had to fight through qualifying just to be here. Expect an organized, physical Czech display with Schick as the focal point of everything going forward.